The Philadelphia 76ers looked dead in the water in Indianapolis on Sunday night. They were 20 points behind without their best player in Joel Embiid and it looked like they would be scoreless without the big star.
After that, Tobias Harris joined, the team switched to a zone defense, and they were able to beat the Indiana Pacers 119-110 for an impressive win without the big guy. This was a game they would definitely lose in the past and it was mainly because Harris refused to let the Sixers lose in this game.
“That was great,” said Coach Doc Rivers. “We ran our punch series, punch-4. What I liked about it we did on both sides of the floor. Our boys did it, it gives us space, I thought it organized us, and Tobias was very efficient. “
Harris finished with 27 points on 10-for-19 shots and he scored 10 in the fourth quarter to help Philadelphia get back in this one. This was an All-Star player’s performance and it was one that showed he has the right mindset.
“It’s a winning mindset,” Harris explained. “I was there today to get buckets to help our team win and we started calling a few sets so I could get to work and I took advantage of the moment and the opportunity … For me it’s only the fourth quarter. , game like that, with Joel out, just go to a place and get a bucket for the team and come back. “
Matisse Thybulle, Furkan Korkmaz and Dwight Howard all also played a part in this win. Thybulle was a threat to the defense and Korkmaz was able to down some huge shots while Howard off the bench was great, but Harris was still the main catalyst in the attack to get them going again.
“I said the other day, Tobias is putting on a show and I think we should all just sit back and enjoy it,” said Thybulle. “He’s doing great and he’s doing everything we ask of him and more. He plays at a high level on both sides. “
With Embiid out, Harris was the team’s goalscorer in this situation and Howard made sure he knew that when he got back on the floor.
“Tobias came into play and I went up to him, I said, ‘Hey, don’t settle, no one can guard you on the floor. Go get buckets, ”Howard explained. ‘He did. He didn’t settle, he attacked the basket, he put pressure on the rim, put pressure on the referees and made big plays. “
Howard added that he has a new nickname for Harris.
This was an impressive win overall and Harris certainly remains serious about being part of the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Now they will have to move on and complete the road trip strongly against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on facebook!